Does my family have to be Catholic?
No, you do not need to be Catholic to attend St. Bernadette School. Families of all faiths are welcome in our school community. However, our curriculum is rooted in the Catholic faith, and a large part of our mission is to help students grow in their faith journey. As a Catholic school, each student will be expected to participate in daily prayer, religious education, and mass services.

What grades does St. Bernadette School offer?
St. Bernadette School offers a preschool program for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds and a full-day Kindergarten for our youngest students. Our elementary school program is open to students in grades 1 through 4, while our middle school program is geared towards students in grades 5 through 8. 

What does St. Bernadette's preschool program look like?
Through our Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 programs, our young students are engaged in age-appropriate learning and social activities. Our wonderful teachers and staff create a warm, loving, and caring environment where students can grow socially, spiritually, and academically. Students in Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 can attend school 3, 4, or 5 days a week. Parents of Pre-K 3 students have the added option of using a half-day or full-day schedule. 

Is there financial aid available?
St. Bernadette School does have tuition fees. However, our private school education is made more affordable through various forms of tuition assistance made available to families each year. All families are encouraged to submit an aid application though FACTS, the financial assistance management service used throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's schools. Check out the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's website for information about their grants and scholarships. To learn more about St. Bernadette School's financial assistance  program and policies, click here.

Do you offer a lunch program?
Yes, we have a daily hot lunch program through our partnership with J. D. McGillicuddy's school catering services. Meals can be pre-ordered each month and will be distributed to students during the lunch period. This program is optional, but it offers parents a convenient and affordable way to provide lunches for their child(ren). 

Do you offer transportation for students?
Many of our students are eligible for busing. Bus schedules are determined by individual school districts. To coordinate your child(ren)'s transportation requirements, please contact our school secretary, Mrs. Maureen Booth, via email ([email protected]) or over the phone (610-449-5184).

Is there an aftercare school program?
Parents requiring additional childcare before or after the school day are invited to take part in our CARES program. Staffed by teachers and classroom assistants, CARES provides families with a cost-effective, engaging service for their children. Homework help is provided for students in grades 1 through 8. To learn more about this program's schedule and fees, visit the CARES page on our website.

What extracurricular activities are available to students?
A variety of school clubs and after school activities are available at St. Bernadette School. These include Service Club, School Newspaper, Science Explorers, Student Council, Reading Olympics, Prayer Partners, Kindness Ambassadors, Choir, Bernie’s Buddies, Band/Orchestra, Altar Serving, and more.

Are students able to participate in afterschool sports?
CYO sports are available for students at St. Bernadette School. Students in grades 5 through 8 can take part in a variety of team sports, including football, soccer, field hockey, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, track, and cross country. Younger students are also invited to take part in "peewee teams" (track and cross country) and introductory clinics (soccer, basketball, flag football). For more information about St. Bernadette's CYO sports, please visit their website.

What special classes are offered?
In addition to daily classes in ELA, math, religion, science, and social studies, St. Bernadette School also offers classes in art, music, technology, physical education, and STREAM.

Are there support services available for students who need extra help?
St. Bernadette School uses the Instructional Support Team model to work with our parents in addressing the individual needs of each student. At St. Bernadette, we are fortunate to have excellent support services offered through the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, providing the students with counseling and both psychological and academic testing. In addition, a Reading Specialist is on staff to offer remedial or advanced classes to smaller groups of students. We also have a Resource Room teacher who focuses on the reading comprehension goals of our students by using strategies that support the students in their classroom work.